Diagrams for an Ecumenical Mysteries Rosary on Different Bead Layouts
I've developed these adaptations to help Christians from different traditions pray an ecumenical version of the Catholic rosary, no matter which prayer bead layout they have.
I started with the traditional Dominican Rosary, since it is the original version of the rosary that focuses on the mysteries of Christ's life. I did my best to keep the spirit of the original while still making it more accessible to non-Catholics who might be distracted by the Hail Marys or closing prayers/litanies. I'm certainly not the only person to create an ecumenical adaptation, but I hope this version is a helpful tool for someone looking for more resources.
As always, when adapting Catholic rosaries and chaplets, I make no claims about the traditional promises associated with the original or whether they apply to adaptations. I have great respect for my Catholic siblings, and don't intend to present these adaptations as better than the original.
To God be all the glory.
A list of the mysteries and written out prayers can be found below the cut!
The Mysteries
The mysteries can be prayed on any day, but have traditional rotations for which set is prayed on which day. Two additional, alternative mysteries are offered for those who are uncomfortable with the two Marian Glorious Mysteries. Because the Anglican/Week layout only has four sections, those utilizing those layouts will either need to recount a section or choose a mystery to skip.
If you're unfamiliar with any of the mysteries, I highly recommend you take some time separate from praying the rosary to familiarize yourself with them so that your meditation can be more fruitful. The Joyful Mysteries are a great onramp for this, because they are recorded basically consecutively in the first two chapters of Luke.
The Joyful Mysteries (Mondays, Saturdays, Sundays in Advent)
The Annunciation - (Luke 1:26-38)
The Visitation - (Luke 1:39-56)
The Nativity - (Luke 2:1-20)
The Presentation in the Temple - (Luke 2:22-40)
The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple - (Luke 2:41-50)
The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)
The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan - (Matthew 3:13-17)
The Wedding at Cana - (John 2:1-12)
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God - (Mark 1:14-15).
The Transfiguration - (Matthew 17:1-8)
The Institution of the Eucharist/Lord's Supper - (Luke 22:14-20)
The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays in Lent)
The Agony in the Garden - (Matthew 26:36-46)
The Scourging at the Pillar - (John 19:1)
The Crowning with Thorns - (Matthew 27:29)
The Carrying of the Cross - (John 19:17)
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus - (Luke 23:33-46)
The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays)
The Resurrection - (Matthew 28:1-10)
The Ascension - (Luke 24:50-53)
The Descent of the Holy Spirit - (Acts 2:1-13)
The Assumption of Mary - (Revelation 12:1; Tradition)
The Coronation of Mary - (Revelation 12:1; Tradition)
*The Road to Damascus - (Acts 9:1-9)
*The Wedding Feast of the Lamb - (Revelation 19:7-10)
The Prayers
Trinity Prayer/Sign of the Cross
"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen"
If making the sign of the cross, touch your forehead on "... the Father," your chest/breastbone on "... the Son," your left shoulder on "... Holy," and your right shoulder on "Spirit."
Opening Prayer (From 1 Thessalonians 5:13-23)
"Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (WEB)
The Lord's Prayer/Our Father
"Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."
The Apostles' Creed
"I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen."
Agnus Dei
"Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.”
Glory Be/Doxology
"Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen."
Jesus Prayer
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Closing
When you finish the final Glory Be/Doxology, I'd encourage you to take a moment to quietly reflect on anything that stood out to you during your meditations on the the mysteries. This is a good way to let these pre-written, formulaic prayers sink in and give yourself more room for personal response before rushing into a busy day.
May 2025: Pope Leo XIV holds a special audience for ecumenical and interreligious delegations who took part in the Solemn Mass for the Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry.
In his address, the Holy Father highlighted Pope Francis’ emphasis on universal fraternity.
Pope Francis “promoted both the ecumenical path and inter-religious dialogue,” Pope Leo said, “above all by cultivating interpersonal relations, in such a way that, without taking anything away from ecclesial bonds, the human trait of encounter was always valued. May God help us to treasure his witness!”
Today we also celebrate the Venerable Gregory, Bishop of Agrigentum. Saint Gregory was born on the island of Sicily to pious Christian parents. By ten years old, the young Gregory had already mastered his reading and writing skills and would chant in the church. At twelve years old, he was “adopted” by the clergy and put under the spiritual guidance of the archdeacon Donatus, spending ten years under him. Desiring to go to Jerusalem to venerate the Holy Lands, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and blessed his visit. In Jerusalem, he was tonsured a deacon and learnt much about the monastic and ascetical life there. He also visited Constantinople where he participated in the 5th Ecumenical Council. While in Constantinople, the Bishop of Agrigentum reposed and Gregory was chosen bishop through divine revelation. Living the life of an ascetic as bishop, Gregory served his flock with great zeal and humility. Because of his holiness, some malicious people became jealous and tried to slander him. They accused him of sleeping with a harlot whom they bribed to enter into his sleeping quarters. Just as the harlot went to speak at the trial, she fell into a fit of demonic rage. The judges believed Gregory to be a sorcerer and through the Pope of Rome at the time, was sentenced to prison. Through the saint’s humility and prayer, he was granted the gifts of wonderworking in prison and his fame spread throughout Rome. A clairvoyant elder who knew Bishop Gregory from childhood, persuaded the Pope to hold another trial in which the harlot, who was still demonically possessed, was to be present again. Through the prayers of the venerable Gregory, the demon was cast out of the woman. Coming to her senses, she spoke the whole truth to the council. The judges sentenced the initial slanderers to be executed, but Bishop Gregory impored forgiveness for them. Having returned to his own See in Agrigentum, Saint Gregory guided his flock in peace and love until his own repose. May he intercede for us always + #saint #gregory #stgregory #bishop #agrigentum #agrigento #ecumenicalcouncil #ecumenical #council #holy #pious #christian #deacon #priest #constantinople #orthodox (at Agrigento, Sicily) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClRp_GTrnZu/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
a flag for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople a la Vatican
from /r/vexillology
Top comment: chose this bc from my research, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is the highest Orthodox Christian Church.
